October 17, 2024: In a significant policy shift, the Indian Railways announced on Thursday that it will reduce the advance ticket booking period from 120 days to 60 days, effective November 1, 2024. This change aims to streamline ticket reservations and make travel planning more accessible for passengers.

Passengers will still be able to book tickets 120 days in advance until October 31. The Ministry of Railways clarified that all bookings made under the previous policy will remain valid, even after the new regulation takes effect. "With effect from November 1, the ARP (Advance Reservation Period) will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and bookings will be done accordingly," the statement read.

The new booking period means that travelers will have less time to plan ahead, but it is expected to allow for more flexibility in ticket availability. Cancellations for bookings made prior to the change will continue to be permitted, providing some assurance for travelers.

Notably, certain daytime express trains, such as the Taj Express and Gomti Express, will not be affected by this adjustment, as they already operate under a shorter advance reservation period.

For international tourists, the advance booking window remains unchanged at 365 days, ensuring that foreign visitors can still plan their journeys well in advance.